Control and Instrumentation articles from October 2000

Control and Instrumentation archives from October 2000

Getting there -- slowly.
October 1, 2000... So what do you do on the Internet? The results from the first online pan-European business survey -- Eurostatus -- would suggest that the majority of us use the web for work, not play. Some 80% of participants in the pilot survey said they...

Software agreement.
October 1, 2000... Aspen Technology has announced a software licensing agreement with Johns Manville Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement Johns Manville is deploying Aspen eSupply Chain Suite at its corporate headquarters and global plant sites. The...

Strategic acquisition.
October 1, 2000... Mi Services Group has completed the strategic acquisition of Chorus Consulting, a leading supplier of Oracle Process Manufacturing solutions in Italy. The acquisition will allow the Italian office to move into the fast-growth area of e-business...

Control system.
October 1, 2000... IT specialist, Servelec, has supplied and integrated a [pound]700,000 control system at BP's 30-year-old Bacton gas terminal on the Norfolk coast. Currently the UK's largest implementation of Rockwell Automation's ProcessLogix product, the...

Valve Packages.
October 1, 2000... Tyco Valves & Controls has been awarded a further order from Reliance Petroleum for the installation of air and motor operated valve packages at the world's largest grass roots refinery. Approximately 750 packages will be installed as part of...

Recorders acquisition expands sensing and controls portfolio.
October 1, 2000... THE SENSING and control business of Honeywell has announced its acquisition of UK-based Trendview Recorders, manufacturer of data acquisition products and paperless recorders. Trendview's products expand Honeywell's portfolio of...

Invensys sells pnuematics as shares continue to fall.
October 1, 2000... AUTOMATION AND controls group Invensys has entered into a definitive agreement with Parker Hannifin for the sale of its pneumatics operations. As part of the agreement, Parker will acquire US based Watts FluidAir, Climax SA in France, and...

Controller adds functionality to safety systems.
October 1, 2000... A NEW level of controller for use with a variety of safety systems has been launched by Leuze Mayser in the form of the modular safety interface (MSI). Claimed to be the first of its kind in the UK, the MSI has been developed to support...

Company is launched to improve efficiency for petroleum industry.
October 1, 2000... ASPEN TECHNOLOGY has launched a new company to help the $1.4 trillion worldwide petroleum industry make faster, more efficient decisions involving trading and logistics of crude oil, intermediates and products. Named Petrovantage, the...

ICBT of France.
October 1, 2000... ABB has announced it has acquired Cellier, a unit of Groupe ICBT of France. The company designs and installs complete production units and industrial process and control systems for the paper, lubricants, paint, oil and chemical industries ABB...

ABB's SattStore Warehouse Management System.
October 1, 2000... Users of ABB's SattStore Warehouse Management System can now access information easily through a new WAP-based application. The system allows authorised users to allocate warehouse stock or view the status of orders via a standard WAP...

Aspen Technology.
October 1, 2000... Aspen Technology has entered into a strategic alliance with Air Liquide, supplier of Industrial and medical gases and services. The alliance allows both companies to provide joint solutions to optimise the manufacturing operations of Air...

Cougar Automation.
October 1, 2000... Cougar Automation has launched a 24-hour support service, in response to demand from leading blue chip customers. Under the scheme, support is handled by a fully mobile dedicated team, who have extensive experience of PLC and Scada systems. A...

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
October 1, 2000... The Fieldbus Foundation and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) have signed a partnership agreement to establish an exclusive Foundation fieldbus training and demonstration facility on SAIT's campus in Calgary, Alberta. The...

IFR Systems.
October 1, 2000... IFR Systems has signed major agreements with Geneva-based LeCroy Corporation for distribution of test products in Europe. Under the partnership IFR will be the exclusive distributor for LeCroy's test and measurement products in Spain and...

VenturCom.
October 1, 2000... VenturCom, a provider of software and services designed to enhance the quality of service of Windows-based intelligent connected equipment has opened an office In West Sussex. General manager Ian Tilley will head the UK office, with assistance...

Firm growth attributed to training and globalisation.
October 1, 2000... IN A YEAR OF tough market conditions, a strong pound and fierce competition, Siemens Automation and Drives has added 20% to its turnover, according to the company's incoming managing director Ulli Schliefer. At a customer and distributor...

Access improved with new InTouch software.
October 1, 2000... WONDERWARE has introduced Terminal Services for InTouch 7.1, allowing InTouch to be installed once on a central server then executed multiple times. Utilising a thin client approach, users throughout the enterprise will be able to access,...

Rapid excels in flexible reporting.
October 1, 2000... TO FURTHER compliment its existing reporting tools, Automsoft International has developed Rapid-XL, designed to facilitate people who already work within a Microsoft Excel environment. Users will now be able to report on existing data...

Toolkit enables rapid automation and machine development.
October 1, 2000... BALDOR'S NEW programmer's toolkit for the Mint motion control language brings together a suite of powerful tools claimed to cut months of machinery and automation development cycles. Provided free with Baldor's OEM or standalone motion...

Interface with Windows.
October 1, 2000... PBE Systems has released the updated CTC Interact Version 6 operator interface software, designed to combine the ease of a Windows development system with the reliability of a DOS run-time environment. The company claims that intuitive...

Integrated packages.
October 1, 2000... USData has launched a software package which combines its Xfactory and FactoryLink products into a single integrated bundle. Designated Xfactory version 1.4, the package uses Microsoft's latest object technologies, enabling limitless load...

Monitoring software.
October 1, 2000... Solutia is standardising on Asset Management Solutions (AMS) software packages from Fisher-Rosemount for installation in all its chemical processing plants throughout North America and Europe. Choice of the Fisher-Rosemount AMS package was...

Multiple access.
October 1, 2000... Micross for Windows (MFW) 3.5, is the latest product in Kewill's E-Manufacturing range. MFW 3.5 features Systems Manager, a HTML-based user interface enabling users to access multiple enterprise applications. Other new enhancements include an...

A breath of fresh air is a breeze.
October 1, 2000... A BUILDING management system incorporating frequency inverters from Lenze is successfully reducing energy consumption and running costs in the administration centre of building finance company BHW. The HVAC system serving the basic needs of...

Fieldbus squabble continues at ISA.
October 1, 2000... A NEW FIELDBUS dispute sparked off at ISA Expo 2000 when a statement issued by Endress & Hauser claimed that patents held by Fisher-Rosemount are preventing the implementation of systems with Foundation Fieldbus instruments. Fisher Rosemount,...

CHINA FIT FOR ROYALTY.
October 1, 2000... With a long established reputation for high quality bone china it is essential for Wedgwood to manufacture and deliver quality product. A knowledge based system provides the necessary production consistency TRADITIONALLY a craft industry...

Transducers make plane sense.
October 1, 2000... IN ADDITION to the supply of pressure transducers for use on the Eurofighter Typhoon hydraulics and fuel systems, Druck has now been selected by British Aerospace (BAe) systems to provide sensors for the aircraft environmental control system...

Compact automation solution.
October 1, 2000... ONE OF THE largest petrochemical companies in Europe. EniChem UK, has ordered a PlantWeb process automation solution from Fisher-Rosemout for a Finishing Area DCS replacement project at its UK headquarters in Hythe. The PlantWeb solution...

Drives increase productivity for paper mill.
October 1, 2000... EAST LANCS Paper Mill has reported a significant increase in production speed on its PM5 paper machine, following an upgrade project which saw the implementation of a Eurotherm Drives fibre optic Link-based drive system. Used to produce a...

Replicate your data.
October 1, 2000... Data replication may be the key to improved availability and performance in today's internet-dominated industry. Melanie Kacerek of Quest Software explains Many companies focus their efforts and investment primarily in preparing for...

A blinding SOLUTION.
October 1, 2000... PLCs and Scada packages have enabled one of Europe's leading suppliers of solar shading control systems to take a major step forward in building management Modern buildings, with their extensive use of glazed walls and atria, are designed...

A new level of SOPHISTICATION.
October 1, 2000... Automatic level controls in the boilerhouse can provide process companies with a solution to tighter safety expectations and cost restraints on manpower. Murdo MacDonald, technical manager of Spirax Sarco investigates Boiler operators in...

THE SHOW GOES ON...
October 1, 2000... C&I discovers that this years Computers in Manufacturing (CIM 2000) show will feature a host of new initiatives aimed at helping British manufactures understand the expanding e-business marketplace Organiser of the Computers in...

Data acquisition supplier shows the way into a wireless world.
October 1, 2000... FOR OVER 17 YEARS, US communications and data acquisition supplier, Quatech has been designing and manufacturing boards for PC-based systems. At this year's ISA Expo, held last month in New Orleans, the company announced some significant...

SPREAD SPECTRUM - THE LATEST IN WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY.
October 1, 2000... RECENT ADVANCES in spread spectrum technology have opened the door to an entirely new class of process monitoring architecture that has the potential to bring about significant changes in the rules governing industrial automation. So much so...

Ultra-fast data acquisition.
October 1, 2000... MEASUREMENT Computing Corporation claims it has developed one of the fastest PC acquisition boards in the world. Available in the UK from Adept Scientific, the PCI-DAS4020/12 four-channel, 12-bit resolution analogue input board can handle...

On-site servicing made easy.
October 1, 2000... An on-line, double conversion three-phase UPS, specifically engineered to offer ease of servicing through rapid and easy access to all internal components, has been developed by Power Control. Available in power ratings of 10kVA to 120kVA, the...

Power comes in small packages.
October 1, 2000... A COMPLETE miniature PC module for embedded applications is now available from Strategic Test. The MAX-PC has a footprint of only 29x58x10mm and is compatible with Windows, Linux and real time operating systems such as QNX. In addition, the...

USB modules expanded.
October 1, 2000... DATA TRANSLATION has announced the expansion of its line of Universal Serial Bus (USB) data acquisition modules. The new DT9805 and DT9806 multifunction modules now offer three robust features: wide dynamic range 100,000:1 (100dB), auto ranging...

Industrial applications improve with Sunrise.
October 1, 2000... NEC distributor Sunrise Electronics has developed a cost effective microprocessor family to add to its range of high performance RISC processors. The 64-bit VR4181 microprocessor is a member of NEC's VR series devices created for embedded...

Embedded compact control.
October 1, 2000... NATIONAL Instruments has introduced a series of embedded PXI/CompactPCI computers featuring Intel Pentium III processors for maximum computing power and faster system performance. The high performance PXI-8170 controllers package the latest...

Rocketport allows for remote access.
October 1, 2000... Available from Comtrol Corporation is the RocketPort Modem Hub, a self-contained multiple-modem device that connects to any server through the Universal Serial Bus (USB) and provides instant access to four V90 Class analog modems. Unlike...

Level measurement INSIDE THE ROCK.
October 1, 2000... SAAB TANK Control has completed the supply and installation of its latest Rex Radar Level Gauges on fuel storage cells located within the Rock of Gibraltar. The cells, which were dug out of the rock several decades ago, are lined with...

Multi-function solution.
October 1, 2000... A MULTI-FUNCTION controller designed to provide all in one level control has been launched by Spirax Sarco. The LC2610 provides on/off, modulating, two or three term control functions, giving users the flexibility to satisfy all their level...

Switched on to high temperature.
October 1, 2000... GEMS SENSORS has introduced a new high temperature version of the LS-7 Series side-mounted liquid level switches for use in small vessels where top or bottom mounting is not practical. Constructed in Versaplast, a material manufactured by...

Advanced transmitter.
October 1, 2000... AN ADVANCED K-Tek Magnetostrictive level transmitter is now available from newly appointed UK representative Allison Engineering. Unlike many magnetostrictive level devices, the K-Tek is a two-wire loop powered instrument, with direct...

Submersible design.
October 1, 2000... A COMPLETE range of Smart microprocessor-based submersible level transmitters is now available from Nobel Systems. With a stainless design, the Klay Series 2000-Hydrobar S is fully temperature compensated and equipped with strong flush...

Heating element protection.
October 1, 2000... Ideal far use in wet processing machinery is the LS803-11 horizontal liquid level sensor from Gentech International. Mounted in individual feeder tanks, the LS803-11 detects the level of liquid and switches pumps to refill when the level drops...

Monitors raise alarm at quarry.
October 1, 2000... TWO MILLTRONICS Mercap units have replaced unreliable capacitance rope level monitors measuring the level of limestone tiller at Aggregate industries' Bardon Hill Quarry in Leicestershire. Mounted at the top of two 10.25m high silos, the...

Non-contact solution to vibration problems.
October 1, 2000... SOUND AND vibration measurement specialist, Bruel & Kjaer has introduced a non-contact vibration transducer for use in applications where it is impossible or undesirable to mount a conventional vibration transducer onto a vibrating object. ...

New wave of generators.
October 1, 2000... CONTINUING TO expand its line of test tools for electronic systems design, Fluke Europe had introduced the new Wavetek-Datron 195 and 300 Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG). The Wavetek-Datron 195 is geared toward lower speed applications,...

Two-way wireless capability.
October 1, 2000... Design engineers now have access to a mini programmable logic controller (PLC) with two way wireless communications capabilities, thanks to the integration of a GSM modem into the latest front end controller (FEC) from Beck, a division of...

Board simplifies drivers.
October 1, 2000... PEP MODULAR computers has developed the rugged CompactPCI board to help reduce the reduce the complexities associated with software drivers. By employing FPGAs on this double-height, industrial I/O board, the measurement acquisition...

Family units designed to cut cost.
October 1, 2000... Available with integral manifold systems in either, two, three or five valve designs, the Rosemount 3015C family of transmitters from Fisher Rosemount are designed to reduce the installed cost of pressure and DP transmitters. The integral...

Sensors cast in stone.
October 1, 2000... TURCK BANNER has extended its Uprox inductive proximity sensor range with the introduction of sensors utilising a new stone-based compound called Duraplast. Ideal for harsh environments, Turck claims that Uprox represents a technological...

Warming up to integration.
October 1, 2000... SENSING TECHNOLOGY specialist City Technology has developed the IRidium infra-red bench for the automotive gas analyser market. Designed to provide OEMs with ultra-fast sensing technology for integration into instruments used in the...

Smart recorder offers touchscreen control.
October 1, 2000... THE SMARTVIEW SV100 Videographic Recorder with 5.5in display and touch-screen control has been launched by Westronics. Available from distributor WE Instrumentation, the new recorder operates a single screw front access removable chassis...

Explorer captures complex signals.
October 1, 2000... THE NEW DL7200 signal explorer from Yokogawa is a high-performance digital oscilloscope, which combines high-speed sampling at up to two GS/s with memory length of up to 16 Mword per channel. The company claims this combination of speed and...

Gas leaks kept in check.
October 1, 2000... New from ION Science is the Phocheck 5000EX hand-held ionisation instrument, which can find and monitor leaks of VOC gases such as Acetone, Nonane, Octane and Toluene, even down to 10ppb levels for standard calibration gas. Several hundred...

Software designed to aid professional development.
October 1, 2000... IN THE ENGINEERING world, continuous professional development is seen as a necessity. Unfortunately, in this fast changing environment, it can be difficult for an individual or an organisation to recognise strengths and weaknesses and make...

People on the move.
October 1, 2000... Brian Jones has been appointed divisional manager for automation products at Turck Banner. Jones has spent most of his career in the electrical control Industry. Gerald Goubau has been named European vice president and general manager of...

Mitsubishi Electric Europe.
October 1, 2000... Automation Systems Division UK Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Al10 8XB WHAT DOES YOUR COMPANY DO? Mitsubishi Electric is a global leader in automation, with a specialist division int he UK responsible for marketing a range of...